Method for controlling electric power of computer system

ABSTRACT

To reduce the electric power consumption of the computer system, the computer system includes at least one server and at least one data processing apparatus, the data processing apparatus includes an electric power consumption state control module by which electric power consumption of the data processing apparatus can be changed, obtains a use relationship between each server and each processing apparatus included in the computer system, monitors a change in a state of the server, searches for a related data processing apparatus in the use relationship with the server, obtains a state of at least one related server in the use relationship with the related data processing apparatus, and determines whether an electric power consumption state of the related data processing apparatus is to be changed or not based on the state of the related server, and changes the electric power consumption state of the related data processing apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.11/857,794, filed Sep. 19, 2007, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from Japanese patent applicationJP 2007-134047 filed on May 21, 2007, the content of which is herebyincorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a control method for electric powerconsumption of a computer system.

The electric power consumption of data processing devices constituting acomputer system such as servers, external storage systems, networkswitches, and load balancers is increasing as the performance thereofincreases accordingly. Therefore, in the computer system, costs forsupplying electric power and cooling of the data processing devicesincrease more and more.

As a method for reducing the electric power consumption of the computersystem, there is a method to supply only necessary ones of the dataprocessing devices in the computer system with the electric power.

However, in order to realize the above method, it is necessary todetermine whether a data processing device requires the electric powersupply or not, and, according to the conventional method, it isnecessary to manually select the data processing device to be turned on.As a result, in an autonomous system in which operation states of dataprocessing devices dynamically change, it is difficult to properlyprovide a proper instruction to turn on the data processing devices,resulting in an inferior efficiency in the reduction of the electricpower consumption, and labor for providing a proper instruction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to reduce electric powerconsumption of a computer system in which multiple data processingdevices are connected via networks.

It is another object of this invention to identify necessary dataprocessing devices in a computer system, to supply only the identifiednecessary data processing devices with electric power, and thus toreduce the electric power consumption of the computer system.

A representative aspect of this invention is as follows. That is, thereis provided an electric power control method of controlling electricpower consumption of a computer system, the method being carried out ona computer system comprising at least one server and at least one dataprocessing apparatus, wherein the data processing apparatus comprises anelectric power consumption control module for changing electric powerconsumption. The electric power control method comprising: arelationship management step of managing a use relationship between theat least one server and the at least one data processing apparatusincluded in the computer system; a state monitoring step of monitoring achange in a state of the at least one server; a relationship search stepof searching for a related data processing apparatus in the userelationship with the at least one server; a state determination step ofobtaining a state of at least one related server in the use relationshipwith the related data processing apparatus, and determining whether theelectric power consumption of the related data processing apparatus isto be changed or not based on the state of the at least one relatedserver; and an electric power consumption control step of changing theelectric power consumption of the related data processing apparatus.

According to this invention, it is possible to identify necessary dataprocessing devices in a computer system, to supply only the identifiednecessary data processing devices with electric power, and thus toreduce the electric power consumption of the computer system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be appreciated by the description whichfollows in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer systemin accordance with a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server inaccordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management serverin accordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an external storagesystem in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a logical/physical map table inaccordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory of themanagement server in accordance with the first embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a server management table inaccordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage management table inaccordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship table inaccordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state table in accordancewith the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a relationshipmanagement subprogram in accordance with the first embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a GUI in orderto obtain information on data processing device(s) in accordance withthe first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a state monitoringsubprogram in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a relationshipsearch program in accordance with the first embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a statedetermination subprogram in accordance with the first embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a state controlsubprogram in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory of amanagement server in accordance with a second embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a determination table inaccordance with the second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a server management table inaccordance with a third embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory of amanagement server in accordance with a fourth embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a state monitoringsubprogram in accordance with the fourth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a state changerestraining subprogram in accordance with the fourth embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a state controlsubprogram in accordance with the fourth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a configuration of a memory of amanagement server in accordance with a fifth embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a schedule table in accordancewith the fifth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a state monitoringsubprogram in accordance with the fifth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a GUI showing aguidance of an electric power consumption in accordance with a sixthembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a GUI in orderto set an electric power consumption in accordance with a seventhembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a state changerestraining subprogram in accordance with the seventh embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory of amanagement server in accordance with an eighth embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a state monitoringsubprogram in accordance with the eighth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a transfer controlsubprogram in accordance with the eighth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer systemin accordance with a ninth embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing a server management table inaccordance with the ninth embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description will now be given of embodiments of this invention withreference to drawings.

The embodiments described below are exemplary embodiments according tothis invention, and respective combinations thereof can also beembodiments of this invention. Moreover, the embodiments described beloware not intended to restrict the scope of this invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration of a computer systemaccording to a first embodiment of this invention.

The computer system includes servers 111 (111 a-111 b), an externalstorage system 104, and a management server 101. Moreover, they areconnected to a network 1 (102) and a network 2 (103). The network 1(102) and the network 2 (103) may provide a connection form as theEthernet, which communicates according to the TCP/IP, for example.Moreover, the network 2 (103) may be a Fibre Channel network. Further,though, in FIG. 1, the network 1 (102) and the network 2 (103) areindependent, it is not necessary to provide separate networks, and thenetwork 1 (102) and the network 2 (103) may be connected as a singlenetwork. The management server 101 includes an electric power controlprogram 110. The external storage system 104 includes physical disks 141and a controller 140. The servers 111 and the external storage system104 according to the embodiment of this invention are described by wayof example, and the numbers thereof are not intended to limit thisinvention. Moreover, the numbers of the management server 101 and theelectric power control program 110 may be more than one.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of the server 111 accordingto the first embodiment of this invention.

The server 111 includes a memory 201, a CPU 202, a chip set 203, an I/Odevice 204, an NIC 205, a BMC 206, and an auxiliary storage device 207.

The memory 201 stores programs such as an OS and application programs.The CPU 202 executes programs stored in the memory 201. It should benoted that the number of the CPU 202 may be one or more. The chipset 203is a chip including peripheral circuits of the CPU 202. The I/O device204 is connected to the network 1 (102), and an interface such as a hostbus adaptor (HBA) or a network interface card (NIC) the type of whichdepends on the protocol used on the network 1 (102). The NIC 205 is aninterface used to connect to the network 2 (103). It should be notedthat an NIC may be provided in the I/O device 204 independently of theNIC 205. The baseboard management controller (BMC) 206 monitors a stateof the server 111, and provides power supply control for the server 111.Moreover, the BMC 206 includes a power supply control function 260. Thepower supply control function 260 provides control for externallyturning on and off a power supply of the server 111 via the NIC 205. Theauxiliary storage device 207 is a storage device such as a hard disk ora flash memory. It should be noted that the server 111 does notnecessarily include all the components shown in FIG. 2, and has toinclude at least the CPU 202, the memory 201, and the I/O device 204.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration of the management server101 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

The management server 101 includes a memory 301, a CPU 302, an NIC 303,and an I/O device 304.

The memory 301 stores an electric power control program 110. The CPU 302executes a program stored in the memory 301. It should be noted that thenumber of the CPU 302 may be two or more. The NIC 303 is an interfaceused to connect to the network 2 (103). The I/O device 304 is aninterface for input and output of information to and from the managementserver 101. Moreover, to the I/O device 304, an input device 305 such asa mouse and a keyboard, and a display device 306 such as a display areconnected. Further, to the I/O device 304, an external storage device(such as a USB medium) may be connected for reading and writinginformation stored in the external storage device. It should be notedthat the management server 101 may include a hard disk or an auxiliarystorage device (such as a flash memory).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a configuration of the external storagesystem 104 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

It should be noted that the external storage system 104 according to thefirst embodiment of this embodiment is configured as redundant arrays ofinexpensive disks (RAID). The external storage system 104 includes acontroller 140 and multiple physical disks 141. The controller 140includes a port 401, an NIC 402, an electric power consumption statecontrol module 403, and a logical/physical map management module 420.

The port 401 is an interface for connection to the servers 111 via thenetwork 1 (102) thereby providing access to the physical disks 141.Moreover, the NIC 402 is an interface for connection to the managementserver 101 via the network 2 (103) thereby allowing the electric powercontrol program 110 of the management server 101 to control the externalstorage system 104.

The electric power consumption state control module 403 changes anoperation state of the physical disk 141 thereby changing electric powerconsumption of the physical disk 141. Moreover, the electric powerconsumption state control module 403 includes an interface, and receivesan instruction to change an electric power consumption state of thephysical disk 141 from the electric power control program 110 of themanagement server 101 connected via the NIC 402. It should be noted thattechnologies for changing the electric power consumption state of thephysical disk 141 include a method of reducing the rotational speed of adrive, a method of changing the state of the drive to a stop state, anda method of changing a state of a head to a rest state, for example.

The logical/physical map management module 420 includes alogical/physical map table 421. The logical/physical map table 421retains relationships between the physical disks 141 and the logicaldisks 410. The controller 140 includes a processor and a storage devicesuch as a memory. The memory stores programs for the logical/physicalmap management module 420 and the electric power consumption statecontrol module 403. As a result of execution of the stored programs bythe processor, a process is realized. Moreover, the electric powerconsumption state control module 403 and the logical/physical mapfunction 420 may be totally or partially implemented by hardware such asa custom processor or the like.

According to the first embodiment of this invention, a group of thephysical disks 141 constitute RAID groups 430. The RAID group 430 is alogical group of at least one physical disk 141, and is defined by thelogical/physical map management module 420, and relationships betweenthe physical disks 141 and the RAID group 430 are retained in thelogical/physical map table 421. It should be noted that the respectivephysical disks 141A to 141D bear identifies: PDEV0, PDEV1, PDEV2, andPDEV3. Moreover, the logical/physical map management module 420 canconfigure multiple RAID groups 430 as one or more logical disks 410 usedas servers 101. The server 111 connected to the port 401 makes access toa physical disk 141 of the external storage system 104 by making accessto the logical disk 410. The relationships between the RAID group 430and the logical disks 410 are retained in the logical/physical map table421. It should be noted that the respective logical disks 410A to 410Dbear identifies LU0, LU1, LU2, and LU3.

The logical/physical map management module 420 configures the RAIDgroups 430 and the logical disks 410 according to the contents retainedin the logical/physical map table 421. Moreover, the external storagesystem 104 according to the first embodiment of this invention controlsthe electric power consumption state of the RAID group 430 as theminimum module. If the external storage system 104 is not configuredinto RAID groups, the physical disk 141 may be a unit of the control forthe electric power consumption state. Moreover, the entire externalstorage system 104 may be a unit of the control of the electric powerconsumption state. Further, the electric power consumption state controlmodule 403 may include an interface for reporting the unit of thecontrol of the electric power consumption state to the power controlprogram 110 of the management server 101 connected via the NIC 402.

FIG. 5 describes the logical/physical map table 421 according to thefirst embodiment of this invention.

The logical/physical map table 421 retains relationships among thephysical disks 141 included in the external storage system 104, the RAIDgroups 430, and the logical disks 410. The logical/physical map table421 includes physical disks 501, RAID groups 502, and logical disks 503.

The physical disk 501 is an identifier of a physical disk 141. The RAIDgroup 502 is an identifier of a RAID group 430 containing the physicaldisks 141 identified by the physical disks 501.

The logical disk 503 is an identifier of a logical disk 410 contained inthe RAID group 430 identified by the RAID group 502.

The logical disk 503 is described as “LU0, LU1” when one RAID group 430contains multiple logical disks 410. It should be noted that a part ofthe information in the logical/physical map table 421 is not necessarilyindispensable.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a configuration of the memory 301 of themanagement server 101 according to the first embodiment of thisinvention.

The memory 301 includes an electric power control program 110, a servermanagement table 610, a storage management table 611, a relationshiptable 612, and a state table 613. The electric power control program 110includes a relationship management subprogram 601, a state monitoringsubprogram 602, a relationship search subprogram 603, a statedetermination subprogram 604, and a state control subprogram 605.

The relationship management subprogram 601 manages the relationshipsbetween the servers 111 of the computer system and the RAID groups 430of the external storage systems 104. The state monitoring subprogram 602monitors a change in the state of the servers 111. The relationshipsearch subprogram 603 searches for RAID groups 430 in use relation witha server 111. On this occasion, the use relationship implies arelationship between the servers 111 and the configurations (RAID groups430, physical disks 141, and logical disks 410) of the external storagesystem 104 associated by the sever management table 610, the storagemanagement table 611, and the relationship table 612, which aredescribed later. The state determination subprogram 604 determineswhether an electric power consumption state of a RAID group 430 is to bechanged or not. The state control subprogram 605 changes an electricpower consumption state of a RAID group 430 if the electric powerconsumption state of the RAID group 430 is to be changed.

The server management table 610 retains information of the servers 111constituting the computer system. The storage management table 611retains information on the external storage system 104 included in thecomputer system. The relationship table 612 retains the relationshipsbetween the servers 111 and the RAID groups 430. The state table 613retains information on the use state of the respective RAID groups 430.It should be noted that the electric power control program 110 and thecomponents thereof may be partially or entirely implemented by a customprocessor as hardware.

FIG. 7 describes the server management table 610 according to the firstembodiment of this invention.

The server management table 610 includes server identifiers 701, states702, and logical disks 703.

The server identifier 701 is an identifier of a server 111. The state702 is a state of the server 111 identified by the server identifier701. For example, when the power supply of the server 111 is turned on,the state 702 is “ON”, and when the server 111 is in a standby state,the state 702 is “STANDBY”. On this occasion, the standby state impliesa cold standby state of the server 111, for example. The cold standbyimplies a state in which the server 111 is in a standby state, andstarts up on a failure, resulting in a switch of processing. Though, inFIG. 7, only the states of “ON”, “OFF”, and “STANDBY” are shown, inaddition to these states, states such as reboot, standby, suspend,resume, disk unmount, disk mount, end of application, start ofapplication, disconnection of storage path, connection of storage path,occurrence of failure, start of maintenance, completion of maintenance,and transfer of virtual server may be described.

The logical disk 703 includes identifiers and applications of logicaldisks 410 used by the server 111 identified by the server identifier701. For example, when a server 111 uses the logical disk 410 LU1, thelogical disk 703 is “LU1”. The application thereof is indicated asadditional information enclosed by parentheses, and “S” denotes a systemdisk application, and “D” denotes a data disk application. Moreover, alogical disk 410 used for both of the applications bears a descriptionof “S/D”.

It should be noted that the system disk application implies applicationsin which a disk is used for starting up a system, and which includesexecutable files for an OS or applications, system data, log files, andswap files. Moreover, the data disk application implies applications inwhich a disk is used to retain data subject to processing byapplications, which includes customer lists and bookkeeping information.On this occasion, if the data disk application is shown as theadditional information of a logical disk 410, there may be provided aconfiguration to immediately start up the logical disk 410 in a powersaving state. It should be noted that a part of the information in theserver management table 610 is not necessarily indispensable.

FIG. 8 describes the storage management table 611 according to the firstembodiment of this invention.

The storage management table 611 includes RAID groups 801, logical disks802, and states 803.

The RAID group 801 is an identifier of a RAID group 430 of the externalstorage system 104. The logical disk 802 is an identifier of a logicaldisk 410 contained in the RAID group 430 identified by the RAID group801. For example, if both the logical disks 410 LU0 and LU1 arecontained in the RAID group 430, the logical disk 802 bears adescription of “LU0, LU1”.

The state 803 is an electric power consumption state of the RAID group430 identified by the RAID group 801. For example, the state 803 bears adescription “ACTIVE” during an operation at the maximum performance, anda description “POWER SAVING” in a power saving state. On this occasion,the “ACTIVE” state of a RAID group 430 is a state in which the RAIDgroup 430 consumes a large electric power and provides a high accessperformance, for example.

Moreover, the “POWER SAVING” state is a state in which the RAID group430 is operating at a low electric power consumption with a controltechnology for the electric power consumption of the external disk 104(at least one physical disk 141 constituting the RAID group 430 is notrotating, for example). It should be noted that the electric powersaving state may not be a single state. For example, it is possible toregister different levels of the electric power saving state such as alevel for stopping only the disk, a level for stopping a controllerother than the disk and the head portion, and a level for stoppingcompletely the disk and the controller. Moreover, the states 803 dependon the technology for controlling the electric power consumption of theexternal storage system 104, so it is only necessary for the technologyto distinguish among the electric power consumption states of the RAIDgroup 430.

FIG. 9 describes the relationship table 612 according to the firstembodiment of this invention.

The relationship table 612 includes server identifiers 901 and RAIDgroups 902. The server identifier 901 is an identifier of a server 111.The RAID group 902 is an identifier of a RAID group 430 of the externalstorage system 104 accessed by the server 111 identified by the serveridentifier 901.

FIG. 10 describes the state table 613 according to the first embodimentof this invention.

The state table 613 includes RAID groups 1001 and use states 1002. TheRAID group 1001 is an identifier of a RAID group 430 of the externalstorage system 104. The use state 1002 is a use state of the RAID group430 identified by the RAID group 1001. Specifically, the use state 1002is the number of servers 111 presently using the RAID group 430, and ifthe use state 1002 is “0”, there is no server 111 presently using theRAID group 430, and it is thus possible to change the electric powerconsumption state of the physical disks 141 of the RAID group 430 tostates such as stopping or slowing down the rotation of physical disks141 of the RAID group 430.

A description will now be given of a process executed by the electricpower control program 110 according to the first embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the relationshipmanagement subprogram 601 according to the first embodiment of thisinvention.

First, in a step 1101, the relationship management subprogram 601obtains the relationships of the servers and the data processing devicesincluded in the computer system and the states of the respective dataprocessing devices. The relationships of the data processing devicesobtained in the step 1101 include, for example, a relationship between aserver 111 included in the computer system and logical disks 410 of theexternal storage system 104 used by the server 111, a relationshipbetween a server 111 and RAID groups 430 which include logical disks 410used by the server 111, and a relationship between a server 111 andphysical disks 141 constituting a RAID group 430 used by the server 111.

Moreover, the obtained states of data processing device(s) includeoperation states of the data processing device. Moreover, therelationship management subprogram 601 may obtain additional informationif necessary. It should be noted that information which cannot beobtained, or which is not necessary may not be obtained.

Then, in a step 1102, the relationship management subprogram 601produces a server management table 610 based on the relationships of thedata processing devices and the states of the data processing devicesobtained in the step 1101. Specifically, the relationship managementsubprogram 601 produces a server management table 610 based on thestates of the servers 111, and the logical disks 410 used by the servers111.

Then, in a step 1103, the relationship management subprogram 601produces a storage management table 611 based on the relationships ofthe data processing devices and the states of the data processingdevices obtained in the step 1101. Specifically, the relationshipmanagement subprogram 601 produces a storage management table 611 basedon the states of the RAID groups 430, and the logical disks 410 includedin the RAID groups 430.

Then, in a step 1104, the relationship management subprogram 601produces a relationship table 612 based on the server management table610 produced in the step 1102 and the storage management table 611produced in the step 1103. Specifically, the relationship managementsubprogram 601 refers to the server management table 610 to obtainidentifiers 703 of the logical disks 410 used by a server 111. Moreover,the relationship management subprogram 601 refers to the storagemanagement table 611 to obtain an identifier 801 of the RAID group 430including the logical disks 410 the identifiers 703 of which areobtained. As a result, the relationship management subprogram 601 canobtain relationships between the server 111 and the RAID group 430. Therelationship management subprogram 601 repeats this process for therespective servers 111 included in the computer system to produce therelationship table 612.

Then, in a step 1105, the relationship management subprogram 601produces a state table 613 based on the relationship table 612 producedin the step 1104 and the information contained in the server managementtable 610. Specifically, the relationship management subprogram 601refers to the relationship table 612 to obtain identifiers 901 ofservers 111 using the respective RAID groups 430. Further, therelationship management subprogram 601 obtains states 702 of the servers111 identified by the obtained identifiers 901 by referring to theserver management table 610. Then, the relationship managementsubprogram 601 sets the number of servers 111 using the respective RAIDgroups 430 as a value of the use state 1002 of the respective RAIDgroups 430 in the state table 613.

On this occasion, the state that a server 111 is using the RAID group430 implies the server 111 and the RAID group 430 are related with eachother, and the server 111 using the RAID group 430 is in the “ON” state.Moreover, this state may also include a state which apparently showsthat a server 111 is using a RAID group 430.

For example, according to the state table 613 shown in FIG. 9, the RAIDgroup 902 identified by “GROUP 2” is used by the servers 111 identifiedby the identifiers 901 “SEVER 2” and “SERVER 3”. Based on this, linesidentified by the server identifiers 701 “SERVER 2” and “SERVER 3” inthe server management table 610 shown in FIG. 7 shows that both of theservers are “ON”, and, thus, the use state 1002 in a line identified bythe identifier “GROUP 2” of the RAID group 902 in the state table 613shown in FIG. 10 is “2”.

Then, in a step 1106, the relationship management subprogram 601 detectswhether there is a change in the configuration of the computer system.If the configuration has been changed, the relationship managementsubprogram 601 returns to the step 1101, and if the configuration hasnot been changed, the relationship management subprogram 601 repeats theprocess in the step 1106 until the configuration has been changed. Onthis occasion, the change in the configuration of the computer systemincludes a change in the number of the data processing devices includedin the computer system and a change in a logical setting thereof. Forexample, the change includes a case in which a server 111 is added orremoved, a case in which a RAID group 430 is added or removed, and acase in which a physical disk 141 included in a RAID group 430 is addedor removed. It should be noted that a method for detecting a change inthe system configuration is realized by reporting a change in the systemconfiguration. For example, when the system configuration is changed, amanagement program may report the change. An administrator who haschanged the system configuration may report the change. A program whichmonitors the system configuration may detect a change in the systemconfiguration.

It should be noted that the method to obtain the information on the dataprocessing devices may be input by the administrator of the computersystem via a graphical user interface (GUI) provided by the electricpower control program 110 in the step 1101 as described later withreference to FIG. 12. Moreover, the administrator may input theinformation on the data processing devices from a command line providedby the electric power control program 110. Moreover, the information onthe data processing devices may be obtained from files stored in astorage device connected to the management server 101. Moreover, theinformation on the data processing devices may be obtained via anetwork.

Moreover, in the step 1101, the states of the respective data processingdevices are obtained as the unit of control of the electric powerconsumption. For example, since the electric power consumption of theexternal storage system 104 according to this embodiment is controlledwhile the RAID group 430 is considered as a unit, as shown in FIG. 8,the storage management table 611 retains the information on therespective RAID groups 430. It should be noted that the data processingdevice (such as the external storage system 104) may have an interfacefor reporting the minimum unit for the control of the electric powerconsumption. In this case, in the step 1101, the interface may be usedto obtain the information on the minimum unit for the control of theelectric power consumption.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the GUI provided by the electric powercontrol program 110 in order to obtain the information on the dataprocessing devices in the step 1101 in FIG. 11.

The GUI shows relationships between the respective data processingdevices (such as relationships between a data processing device and allservers in a use relationship with the data processing device) by meansof a browser or a dedicated program on the display device 306 shown inFIG. 3 or another display device via a network.

A window 1201 shows a window of the browser or the dedicated program.The window 1201 shows the external storage system, the logical disks,the RAID groups, a power supply device, the network switch, and thefiber channel switch, which are the servers and the data processingdevices constituting the computer system, and the relationships betweenthe respective data processing devices are input by the administrator byconnecting the respective data processing devices with each other withrelationship lines 1202 by means of the input device 305 (such as amouse).

For example, in FIG. 12, the identifiers of the respective dataprocessing devices and the relationships between the respective dataprocessing devices are shown. A SERVER 1 (1210) is using a logical diskLU1 (1230) of an EXTERNAL STORAGE SYSTEM 1 (1220) via a fiber channelswitch FC-SW 1 (1250), and the LU1 (1230) is included in a RAID GROUP 1(1240). Moreover, the SERVER 1 (1210) is connected to a LAN 1 (1270) viaa network switch NW-SW 1 (1260). Moreover, FIG. 12 also shows that theSERVER 1 (1210), the FC-SW 1 (1250), and the EXTERNAL STORAGE SYSTEM 1(1220) are using a POWER SUPPLY 1 (1280). It should be noted that thewindow 1201 shows the information obtained from a management program ofthe respective data processing devices or interfaces provided by thedata processing devices themselves. After the input is finished, theadministrator operates a FINISH button 1203. On the other hand, if theadministrator wants to cancel the input, the administrator operates aCANCEL button 1204.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the statemonitoring subprogram 602 according to the first embodiment of thisinvention.

In a step 1301, the state monitoring subprogram 602 monitors the stateof the server 111. The method for monitoring the state of the server 111includes, for example, a method for receiving a state change messagefrom the management program of the server 111, a method for collectinginformation by means of a monitoring interface (such as SNMP), and amethod for asking the BMC 206 installed on the server 111 for the state.

In a step 1302, the state monitoring subprogram 602 determines whetherthe state of the server 111 has changed. If the state monitoringsubprogram 602 determines that the state of the server 111 has changed,the state monitoring subprogram 602 proceeds to a step 1303, and if thestate monitoring subprogram 602 determines that the state has not beenchanged, the state monitoring subprogram 602 returns to the step 1301and monitors the state of the server 111.

Then, in the step 1303, the state monitoring subprogram 602 detects atype of the change in the state of the server 111. For example, a changeoccurs when the power supply of the server 111 is turned on to off, or afailure occurs to the server 111. On this occasion, a difference betweenbefore and after the change in the state of the server 111 is retainedas difference information of the change in the state of the server 111in the memory 201 or the auxiliary storage device 207, and the retaineddifference information is to be referred to by the state determinationsubprogram 604.

Then, in a step 1304, the state monitoring subprogram 602 updates thestate of the server 111 in the server management table 610 based on theinformation obtained in the step 1303.

In a step 1305, the state monitoring subprogram 602 calls therelationship search subprogram 603 with the server 111 state of whichhas changed as an argument.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the relationshipsearch program 603 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

In a step 1401, the relationship search program 603 refers to therelationship table 612 based on the identifier of a server 111 obtainedfrom the state monitoring subprogram 602, and searches for a RAID group430 in use relationship with this server 111.

In a step 1402, the relationship search program 603 determines whether aRAID group 430 in use relationship with the server 111 has been found.If a related RAID group 430 is found, the relationship search program603 proceeds to a step 1403, and if a related RAID group 430 is notfound, the relationship search process is finished.

In the step 1403, the relationship search program 603 calls the statedetermination subprogram 604 with the identifier of the server 111, andthe identifier of the RAID group 430 relating to the server 111 asarguments.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the statedetermination subprogram 604 accordance to the first embodiment of thisinvention.

In a step 1501, the state determination subprogram 604 refers to theserver management table 610 based on an identifier of a server 111obtained from the relationship search subprogram 603, and obtains thestate of the server 111.

Then, in a step 1502, the state determination subprogram 611 refers tothe storage management table 611 based on an identifier of the RAIDgroup 430 obtained from the relationship search subprogram 603, andobtains the state of the RAID group 430.

Then, in a step 1503, the state determination subprogram 611 updatescontents of the RAID group 430 of the state table 613 based on the stateof the server 111 obtained in the step 1501. Specifically, if the stateof the server 111 changes from the “OFF” state or the “STANDBY” state tothe “ON” state, the use state 1002 of the RAID group 430 is increased byone. On the other hand, if the state of the server 111 changes from the“ON” state to the “OFF” state or the “STANDBY” state, the use state 1002of the RAID group 430 is decreased by one. It should be noted that ifthe state of the server 111 changes from the “STANDBY” state to the“OFF” state, a value of the use state 1002 does not change.

For example, if the state of the “SERVER 1” in the server managementtable 610 shown in FIG. 7 changes from “ON” state to the “OFF” state,from the relationship table 612 shown in FIG. 9, it is observed that the“SERVER 1” uses the RAID group 430 “GROUP 1”, and, in the step 1503, theuse state of the “GROUP 1” in the state table 613 shown in FIG. 10changes from “1” to “0” as a result of the decrease by one. It should benoted that the state of the server 111 before the change is retained bythe state monitoring subprogram 602 in the memory 201, the auxiliarystorage device 207, or the like, and the state determination subprogram611 can thus obtain the information on the state of the server 111before the change in the step 1503.

Then, in a step 1504, the state determination subprogram 611 determineswhether to control the state of the RAID group 430. Specifically, thestate determination subprogram 611 refers to the state of the RAID group430 obtained in the step 1502 and the use state of the RAID group 430 inthe state table 613 updated in the step 1503, if the state of the RAIDgroup 430 is “ACTIVE”, and a value of the use state 1002 of the RAIDgroup 430 is “0”, the state determination subprogram 611 determines toset the state of the RAID group 430 to the “POWER SAVING” state, andproceeds to a step 1505. On the other hand, if the RAID group 430 is notin the “POWER SAVING” state, and/or the value of the use state 1002 ofthe RAID group 430 is not “0”, the state determination subprogram 611determines to reset the power saving of the RAID group 430, and proceedsto the step 1505. If the RAID group 430 is in the other states, thestate determination subprogram 611 finishes the process.

On this occasion, the power saving specifically implies that the RAIDgroup 430 is controlled in a power saving state. It should be noted thatthe power saving includes two modes: one mode provides control so thatdisks can be used immediately, and the other mode provides control sothat a delay occurs until the disks become operable.

Then, in the step 1505, the state determination subprogram 611 calls thestate control subprogram 605 with values of the identifier, the state,and the use state of the RAID group 430 as arguments.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the state controlsubprogram 605 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

In a step 1601, the state control subprogram 605 determines the electricpower consumption state of a RAID group 430 based on the identifier ofthe RAID group 430, the state of the RAID group 430, and the use stateof the RAID group 430 obtained from the state determination subprogram604. Specifically, if the state of the RAID group 430 is “ACTIVE”, and avalue of the use state of the RAID group 430 is “0”, the state controlsubprogram 605 determines to set the RAID group 430 to the “POWERSAVING” state. On the other hand, if the RAID group 430 is in the “POWERSAVING” state, and a value of the use state of the RAID group 430 is not“0”, the state control subprogram 605 determines to set the RAID group430 to the “ACTIVE” state.

Then, in a step 1602, the state control subprogram 605 transmits amessage notifying that the state of the RAID group 430 is to be changedto a management program managing the external storage system 104including the RAID group 430.

Then, in a step 1603, the state control subprogram 605 issues aninstruction to change the state of the RAID group 430 to the statedetermined in the step 1601. Specifically, the state control subprogram605 instructs the controller 140 of the external storage system 104 tochange the state. Then, based on the provided instruction, thecontroller 140 of the external storage system 104 changes the electricpower consumption state of the RAID group 430 by changing the operationmode of the physical disks 141 included in the RAID group 430.

Then, in a step 1604, the state control subprogram 605 detects thecompletion of the instruction in the step 1603, and changes the state ofthe RAID group 430 in the storage management table 611 to the statedetermined in the step 1601.

It should be noted that the above first embodiment is described assumingthat the servers and the RAID groups of the external storage system aredata processing devices which control the electric power consumption ofthe computer system for embodying the first embodiment of thisinvention. The data processing devices subject to the control for theelectric power consumption may include other devices such as the networkswitch, the fiber channel switch, and the load balancer.

For example, the network switch may be the data processing devicesubject to the control for the electric power consumption whilephysically a port unit, logically a VLAN unit, or a set thereof isconsidered as a unit of the control. Moreover, the power supply of thenetwork switch can be controlled according to a state of the powersupply of the servers. For example, if all the servers connected to thenetwork switch are turned off, the power supply of the network switchmay be controlled (for example, the power supply is controlled in apower saving state).

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of this invention is an example in which theelectric power control program 110 changes the use state of the RAIDgroup 430 based on types of the state change of the server 111 accordingto a predetermined policy.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a configuration of the memory 301 of themanagement server 101 according to the second embodiment of thisinvention.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that thememory 301 of the management server 101 stores a determination table614. The determination table 614 retains information of an update policyfor updating the use state of the relationship table 612 referred by therelationship management subprogram 601 and the state determinationsubprogram 604.

FIG. 18 describes the determination table 614 according to the secondembodiment of this invention.

The determination table 614 includes state change types 1801 and usestate update policies 1802.

The state change type 1801 is a type of the state of a server 111. Theuse state update policy 1802 is a policy to update a value of the usestate in the state table 613 of a RAID group 430 relating to the server111 according to the state change of the server 111 described in thestate change type 1801.

Specifically, if the state of the server 111 changes from a state inwhich the use state update policy 1802 is “+1” to a state in which theuse state update policy 1802 is “−1”, a value of the use state 1002 inthe state table 613 decreases by one. If the state of the server 111changes from a state in which the use state update policy 1802 is “+1”to a state in which the use state update policy 1802 is “+1”, a value ofthe use state 1002 in the state table 613 remains the same. If the stateof the server 111 changes from a state in which the use state updatepolicy 1802 is “−1” to a state in which the use state update policy 1802is “+1”, a value of the use state 1001 in the state table 613 increasesby one. If the state of the server 111 changes from a state in which theuse state update policy 1802 is “−1” to a state in which the use stateupdate policy 1802 is “−1”, the value of the use state 1002 in the statetable 613 remains the same.

According to the second embodiment of this invention, when a server 111is using a RAID group 430, this state corresponds to a state change type1801 for which the use state update policy 1802 is “+1” in thedetermination table 614. Moreover, when a server 111 is not using a RAIDgroup 430, this state corresponds to a state change type 1801 for whichthe use state update policy 1802 is “−1” in the determination table 614.In the step 1105 of the relationship management subprogram 601 shown inFIG. 11 according to the first embodiment of this invention, the stateof the server 111 using the RAID group 430 follows the above definition.Moreover, in the step 1503 of the state determination subprogram 604shown in FIG. 15 according to the first embodiment of this invention,the state of the server 111 using the RAID group 430, and the state ofthe server 111 not using the RAID group 430 follow the above definition.

It should be noted that the determination table 614 is set by an inputby the administrator. The administrator may set the determination table614 by inputs via a GUI provided by the electric power control program110. Moreover, the administrator may set the determination table 614 byinput from a command line provided by the electric power control program110. Further, the setting of the determination table 614 may be obtainedfrom a file stored in a storage device connected to the managementserver 101, or obtained via a network.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment of this invention is an example in which the electricpower consumption state of a RAID group 430 is changed in response to astate change of a server 111 according to predetermined policies.

FIG. 19 describes the server management table 610 according to the thirdembodiment of this invention.

The server management table 610 according to the third embodiment isdifferent from that of the first embodiment in that electric powerconsumption state change policies 704 are added.

The electric power consumption state change policy 704 describes apolicy for the change of the electric power consumption state of a RAIDgroup 430 used by a server 111 identified by a server identifier 701.

Specifically, in the step 1601 of the process executed by the statecontrol subprogram 605 shown in FIG. 16, if the state of the RAID group430 is “ACTIVE”, and a value of the use state of the RAID group 430 is“0”, the electric power consumption state of the RAID group 430 isdetermined by a state indicated by the electric power consumption statechange policy 704. Specifically, if the state of the RAID group 430 is“POWER SAVING”, and the value of the use state of the RAID group 430 isnot “0” in the step 1601, the state control subprogram 605 determines toset the electric power consumption state of the RAID group 430 to the“ACTIVE” state.

The information of the identifier of the server 111 required forreferring to the server management table 610 is obtained by the statemonitoring subprogram 602 when the state of the server 111 changes, theobtained identifier of the server 111 is retained in the memory 201, theauxiliary storage device 207, or the like, and is used as an argumentfor calling the state control subprogram 605. For example, in FIG. 19,when the state of the server 1 is changed from on to off, the state ofthe RAID group 430 relating to the server 111 enters the “POWER SAVINGSTATE 1”. It should be noted that the technology for controlling theelectric power consumption of a RAID group 430 supported by the externalstorage system 104 determines levels of the power saving state of theelectric power consumption state change policy 704 (such as “POWERSAVING STATE 1”, “POWER SAVING STATE 2”, and “POWER SAVING STATE 3”).

Specifically, if a server 111 has a long period between on and off ofthe power supply, the frequency of switching the power supply is thuslow, and the server 111 is set to a power saving state at a deep level,and if a serve 111 has a short period between on and off of the powersupply, the frequency of switching the power supply is thus high, andthe server 111 is set to a power saving state at a shallow level. Bysetting the level of the power saving state according to the state ofserver, it is possible to increase efficiency of the power savingwithout affecting the operation of the computer system.

Moreover, a period until a RAID group 430 starts operating depends onthe depth of the level of the power saving state. For example, a RAIDgroup 430 with a deep power saving state requires a long period untilthe start of the operation, and a RAID group 430 with a shallow powersaving state requires a short period until the star of the operation.

It should be noted that the electric power consumption state changepolicy 704 is set by an input by the administrator. The administratormay set the electric power consumption state change policy 704 by inputsvia a GUI provided by the electric power control program 110. Moreover,the administrator may set the electric power consumption state changepolicy 704 by input from a command line provided by the electric powercontrol program 110. Further, the electric power consumption statechange policy 704 may be obtained from a file stored in a storage deviceconnected to the management server 101, or obtained via a network.

Moreover, the electric power consumption state control module 403 of theexternal storage system 104 shown in FIG. 4 according to the firstembodiment of this invention may include an interface for reporting thelevels of the electric power consumption state of a RAID group 430supported by the external storage system 104 to the electric powercontrol program 110 connected via the NIC 402. In this case, theelectric power control program 110 obtains the levels of the electricpower consumption state via the interface, and shows the levels to theadministrator via a GUI or texts.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment of this invention is an example in which when thestate of a server 111 changes, a request for changing the state of theserver 111 is restrained until a RAID group 430 relating to the server111 becomes operable, and the state of the serve 111 changes after theRAID group 430 is operable.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a configuration of the memory 301 of themanagement server 101 according to the fourth embodiment of thisinvention.

The electric power control program 110 according to the fourthembodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the electricpower control program 110 includes a state change restraining subprogram606 which restrains a server 111 from being turned on.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the statemonitoring subprogram 602 according to the fourth embodiment of thisinvention.

The state monitoring subprogram 602 according to the fourth embodimentis different from that according to the first embodiment in steps 2101,2102, 2103, 2104, and 2105. The processing by the other steps are thesame as those of the first embodiment, the same processes are designatedby identical reference numerals, and hence description thereof isomitted.

In the step 2101, the state monitoring subprogram 602 monitors a requestfor a change of the state of a server 111. For example, when theadministrator requests for turning on the server 111, the statemonitoring subprogram 602 detects the request for tuning on before thestart of a process to turn on the server 111.

Then, in the step 2102, the state monitoring subprogram 602 determineswhether there has been a request for changing the state of the server111 in the step 2101, and, if there has been a request for changing thestate, the state monitoring subprogram 602 proceeds to the step 2103. Onthe other hand, if there has not been a request for changing the state,the state monitoring subprogram 602 returns to the step 2101, andmonitors a request for changing the state of the server 111.

In the step 2103, the state monitoring subprogram 602 identifies a typeof the request for the state change detected in the step 2101. Forexample, the state monitoring subprogram 602 identifies whether therequest is to change the state of the server 111 to “ON” or “OFF”.

In the step 2104, the state monitoring subprogram 602 calls the statechange restraining subprogram 606 with the identifier of the server 111subject to the request for the state change in the step 2101, and thetype of the request for the state change detected in the step 2103 asarguments.

Then, in the step 2105, the state monitoring subprogram 602 assumes thatthe state of the server 111 has changed, and updates the state 702 ofthe server management table 610.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the state changerestraining subprogram 606 according to the fourth embodiment of thisinvention.

In a step 2201, the state change restraining subprogram 606 temporarilystops the start of the state change of a server 111, and sets the server111 to a wait state.

In a step 2202, the state change restraining subprogram 606 determineswhether the state change is to be stopped or not based on the type ofthe request for the state change of the server 111 obtained as theargument. If the state change restraining subprogram 606 stops the statechange, the state change restraining subprogram 606 proceeds to a step2203. On the other hand, if the state change restraining subprogram 606does not stop the state change, the state change restraining subprogram606 proceeds to a step 2205. State changes to be stopped are preferablydetermined in advance.

Specifically, if the request for the state change is a request forchanging from a state in which a RAID group 430 relating to the server111 is not used to a state in which the RAID group 430 is used, thestate change is to be stopped. For example, if the state of the server111 changes from “OFF” to “ON”, the state change is stopped. Thedefinitions of the state in which a server 111 is using a RAID group 430relating to the server 111, and the state in which a server 111 is notusing a RAID group 430 may follow definitions based on the values in thedetermination table 614 according to the second embodiment of thisinvention.

In the step 2203, the state change restraining subprogram 606 refers tothe relationship table 612 based on the identifier of the server 111obtained as the argument, and identifies a RAID group 430 relating tothe server 111. Then, the state change restraining subprogram 606 refersto the storage management table 611 to obtain the state of theidentified RAID group 430.

If the obtained state of the RAID group 430 is a state in which theserver 111 cannot use the RAID group 430, the state change restrainingsubprogram 606 proceeds to a step 2204. On the other hand, if theobtained state of the RAID group 430 is a state in which the server 111can use the RAID group 430, the state change restraining subprogram 606proceeds to a step 2205. The state in which the server 111 cannot usethe RAID group 430 is a state in which the server 111 cannot access alogical disk 410 included in this RAID group 430, for example.

Then, in the step 2204, the state change restraining subprogram 606stops in a wait state until the restraining subprogram 606 receives arestraining reset massage. Then, when the state change restrainingsubprogram 606 receives the restraining reset message, the state changerestraining subprogram 606 determines that the server 111 becomes ableto use the external storage system 104, proceeds to the step 2205, andstarts the state change of the server 111 (step 2205). Then, in a step2206, the state change restraining subprogram 606 waits until thecompletion of the state change of the server 111, and when the statechange restraining subprogram 606 detects the completion of the statechange, the state change restraining subprogram 606 finishes the statechange restraining process.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the state controlsubprogram 605 according to the fourth embodiment of this invention.

The state control subprogram 605 according to the fourth embodiment isdifferent from that of the first embodiment in that a step 2301 isadded. After the state control subprogram 605 updates the state of theRAID group 430 in the step 1604, the state control subprogram 605 sendsthe restraining reset message to the state change restraining subprogram606 (step 2301).

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment of this invention is an example in which the electricpower consumption state of a RAID group 430 is controlled correspondingto a state change of a server 111 when the server 111 is operatedaccording to a schedule.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a configuration of the memory 301 of themanagement server 101 according to the fifth embodiment of thisinvention.

The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that whenthe server 111 is operated according to a schedule, a schedule table 615which retains information required for the scheduled operation is storedin the memory 301.

FIG. 25 describes the schedule table 615 according to the fifthembodiment of this invention.

The schedule table 615 includes processes 2501, start times 2502, andtargets 2503. The process 2501 is a process to be executed by a server111 during a scheduled operation. The start time 2502 is a time to startthe process 2501. The object 2503 is an identifier of the server 111which carries out the process 2501.

In an example shown in FIG. 25, a start time 2502 and a target 2503 of aprocess 2501 of “ON” is “17:00” and “SERVER 1”, so a process to turn onthe server 1 is started at 5:00 PM everyday. It should be noted that theschedule table 615 is set by an input by the administrator. Theadministrator may set the schedule table 615 by inputs via a GUIprovided by the electric power control program 110. Moreover, theadministrator may set the schedule table 615 by input from a commandline provided by the electric power control program 110. Further, theschedule table 615 may be obtained from a file stored in a storagedevice connected to the management server 101, or obtained via anetwork.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the statemonitoring subprogram 602 according to the fifth embodiment of thisinvention.

The state monitoring subprogram 602 according to the fifth embodiment isdifferent from that of the first embodiment in steps 2601 and 2602. Theprocesses by the other steps are the same as those of the firstembodiment, the same processes are designated by identical referencenumerals, and hence description thereof is omitted.

In the step 2601, the state monitoring subprogram 602 refers to theschedule table 615, and obtains a start time of a process and anidentifier of a server 111 which executes the process.

Then, in a step 2602, the state monitoring subprogram 602 determineswhether the present time is a time a certain period or less before thestart time of the process obtained in the step 2601, and if the presenttime is the time the certain period or less before the start time, thestate monitoring subprogram 602 issues an instruction to make a RAIDgroup 430 used by the server 111 operable, and proceeds to a step 1303.It should be noted that the controller 140 of the external storagesystem 104 makes the RAID group 430 operable based on the instruction.Moreover, if the difference between the present time and the start timeof the process is longer than the certain period, the state monitoringsubprogram 602 returns to the step 2601, and obtains the start time ofthe process and the identifier of the server 111 which executes thisprocess.

On this occasion, the certain period is a period required for the RAIDgroup 430 changing from the inoperable state to the operable state forthe server 111, for example. If the state of the RAID group 430 is atthe deep power saving level, the certain period is loner, and if thestate of the RAID group 430 is at the shallow power saving level, thecertain period is shorter.

Moreover, the certain period may be set by the administrator via a GUIor another interface. Moreover, in place of the steps 2601 and 2602, theschedule table 615 may be set so that a certain process (such as aprocess for issuing an instruction to make the RAID group 430 used bythe server 111 operable) is executed a certain period before the starttime of the process described in the schedule table 615, and the step1303 may be reached as a result of the execution of the set process.

Sixth Embodiment

The sixth embodiment of this invention is an example in which thecomputer system shows the administrator guide information forcontrolling the electric power consumption.

FIG. 27 describes an example of a GUI provided by the electric powercontrol program 110 according to the sixth embodiment of this invention.

The GUI according to the sixth embodiment carries out a display with abrowser or a dedicated program on the display device 306 shown in FIG.3, or on another display device or the like via a network.

A window 2701 is a window of the browser or the program. Moreover, thewindow 2701 includes a map 2702 for showing the data processing devicesincluded in the computer system as the units of the control of theelectric power consumption state, and a portion showing a guidance 2703of the electric power consumption. The map 2702 also shows additionalinformation of the data processing devices.

For example, the map 2702 in FIG. 27 shows a server 1 (2710), anexternal storage system 1 (2711), RAID groups 1 and 2 of the externalstorage system 1 (2712), a power supply 1 (2713), and relationship lines2714. Moreover, the relationship between the RAID group 1 (2712) and theserver 1 (2710) is identified by a color.

Moreover, the guidance 2703 shows that if “REDUCE POWER OF RAID GROUP 1”is set to a target 2720, a solution for the target is shown to arequired process 2721 by executing “TURN OFF SERVER 1”. Moreover, theguidance also shows the present electric power consumption 2722, and apredicted electric power consumption 2723 after the required process2721 is executed for the entire computer system or a certain powersupply device.

Moreover, the guidance 2703 also shows information on the power savingof the power supply 1 (2713). Further, the guidance 2703 shows a chart2724 of the electric power consumption of the entire computer system orthe power supply device against the time, a solid line shows the presentelectric power consumption, and a broken line shows the predictedelectric power consumption after the required process 2721. It should benoted that the entire information described above is not necessarilyshown, and information necessary for the administrator may beselectively shown. Moreover, when the electric power consumption isshown, there is provided a configuration that the data processingdevices, the power supply device, or the like has a function to measurethe electric power consumption, and the electric power control program110 obtains the measured electric power consumption.

The administrator operates a process execution button 2704 to executethe required process 2721. On the other hand, the administrator operatesa cancel button 2705 to cancel the required process 2721.

Seventh Embodiment

A seventh embodiment of this invention is a variation of the abovefourth embodiment, and is an example in which the administrator sets atarget of the electric power consumption, and the electric power controlprogram 110 restrains processes of data processing devices causingelectric power consumption exceeding the target.

FIG. 28 describes an example of a GUI provided by the electric powercontrol program 110 according to the seventh embodiment of thisinvention.

The GUI carries out a display with a browser or a dedicated program onthe display device 306 according to the first embodiment of thisinvention shown in FIG. 3, on another display device or the like via anetwork.

A window 2801 shows a window of the browser or the program. The window2801 shows electric power consumption 2810 of the entire computersystem, a certain data processing device, the power supply and/or thelike, and a chart 2811 of the electric power consumption as a timeseries.

Moreover, the administrator may input the target 2814 of the electricpower consumption on a keyboard or the like, and the input target isshown as a straight line 2813 on the chart 2811. If the administratorwants to set the input target 2814 of the electric power consumption,the administrator operates a set button 2815, and if the administratorwants to cancel the input target 2814 of the electric power consumption,the administrator operates a cancel button 2816.

It should be noted that the target of the electric power consumption maybe input from a command line provided by the electric power controlprogram 110 in addition to the GUI. Moreover, the target of the electricpower consumption may be obtained from a file stored in a storage deviceconnected to the management server 101, or obtained via a network.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the state changerestraining subprogram 602 according to the seventh embodiment of thisinvention.

The state change restraining subprogram 602 according to the seventhembodiment is different from that according to the fourth embodiment inthe steps 2901, 2902, 2903, 2904, and 2905. The processes by the othersteps are the same as those of the fourth embodiment, the same processesare designated by identical reference numerals, and hence descriptionthereof is omitted.

In the step 2901, the state change restraining subprogram 602 refers tothe relationship table 612 based on the identifier of the server 111obtained as the argument. Then, the state change restraining subprogram602 obtains an identifier of a RAID group 430 relating to the server111, and determines whether this RAID group 430 is operating in thepower saving state by referring to the storage management table 611based on the obtained identifier of the RAID group 430. If the RAIDgroup 430 is in the power saving state, the state change restrainingsubprogram 602 proceeds to the step 2902. On the other hand, if the RAIDgroup 430 is not in the power saving state, the state change restrainingsubprogram 602 proceeds to the step 2205.

In the step 2902, the state change restraining subprogram 602 calculatesa predicted electric power consumption of data processing devices afterthe state of the server 111 has changed. On this occasion, the statechange restraining subprogram 602 predicts an increase in the electricpower consumption of the server 111 based on the state change of theserver 111, and calculates an increase in the electric power consumptionof the external storage system 104 including a RAID group 430 relatingto the sever 111 as a result of the state change of the RAID group 430from the power saving state.

The increase in the electric power consumption may be calculated basedon specifications of the respective data processing devices. Theincrease in the electric power consumption may be calculated based onelectric power consumption characteristics of the respective dataprocessing devices measured by operating a measuring program in advance.

In the step 2903, the state change restraining subprogram 602 determineswhether the electric power consumption of the computer system, the dataprocessing apparatus, or the power supply device exceeds the target ofthe electric power consumption set in advance by the administrator basedon the predicted electric power consumption calculated in the step 2902,and if the set electric power consumption exceeds the target electricpower consumption, the state change restraining subprogram 602 proceedsto the step 2904. On the other hand, if the set electric powerconsumption does not exceed the target electric power consumption, thestate change restraining subprogram 602 proceeds to the step 2205.

For example, when the administrator sets the target electric powerconsumption of the external storage system 104 to 3000W (watt), if aserver 111 is turned on, it is necessary to change the state of a RAIDgroup 430 relating to the server 111 from the power saving state to theactive state, and by changing the state of the RAID group 430, theelectric power consumption of the external storage system 104consequently exceeds the target electric power consumption, the statechange restraining subprogram 602 proceeds to the step 2904.

In the step 2904, the state change restraining subprogram 602 cancelsthe request for the state change restrained in the step 2201.

In the step 2905, the state change restraining subprogram 602 shows amassage notifying the administrator of the cancellation of the requestfor the state change in the step 2904 through a GUI or as a text. Sincethe administrator may not cancel the request for the state change, evenif the electric power consumption exceeds the target in the step 2903,the state change restraining subprogram 602 may not proceed to the step2904, and, after notifying the administrator of the message of theelectric consumption exceeding the target, may proceed to the step 2205according to an instruction of the administrator, or may cancel therequest for the state change.

It should be noted that the seventh embodiment of this invention doesnot require the process in the step 2301 by the state control subprogram605 shown in FIG. 23 according to the fourth embodiment.

Eighth Embodiment

An eighth embodiment of this invention is an example in which theelectric power consumption state of a RAID group 430 is controlled inresponse to a state change of a server 111 when the server 111 isoperated according to a schedule.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a configuration of the memory 301 of themanagement server 101 according to the eighth embodiment of thisinvention.

The electric power control program 110 according to the eighthembodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that theelectric power control program 110 includes a transfer controlsubprogram 607 which transfers contents of a logical disk 410 of theexternal storage system 104 between RAID groups 430.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the statemonitoring subprogram 602 according to the eighth embodiment of thisinvention.

The state monitoring subprogram 602 according to the eighth embodimentis different from that of the fifth embodiment in a step 3101. Theprocesses by the other steps are the same as those of the fifthembodiment, the same processes are designated by identical referencenumerals, and hence description thereof is omitted.

In the step 3101, the state monitoring subprogram 602 calls the transfercontrol subprogram 607 with the identifier and the type of the statechange of the server 111 the state of which is detected in the step 1301as arguments.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the transfercontrol subprogram 607 according to the eighth embodiment of thisinvention.

In a step 3201, the transfer control subprogram 607 determines whetherthe server 111 is in a state of using the RAID group 430. If thetransfer control subprogram 607 determines that the server 111 is not inthe state of using the RAID group 430, the transfer control subprogram607 proceeds to a step 3202. On the other hand, if the transfer controlsubprogram 607 determines that the server 111 is using the RAID group430, the transfer control subprogram 607 finishes the process.

In the step 3202, the transfer control subprogram 607 calculates aneffect of the reduction of the electric power consumption in a casewhere logical disks 410 used by this server 111 are transferred betweenRAID groups 430. On this occasion, the transfer control subprogram 607refers to the schedule table 615, and obtains at least one server 111which has the longest period in which the server 111 is not using a RAIDgroup 430. For example, in the schedule table 615 shown in FIG. 25, theserver 3 and the server 4 has the longest period in which the server isnot using a RAID group 430.

Moreover, the transfer control subprogram 607 obtains the RAID groups430 used by these servers 111 from the relationship table 613, andcalculates a change in the electric power consumption in a case wherelogical disks 410 used by these servers 111 are transferred between theobtained respective RAID groups 430. For example, according to therelationship table 613 in FIG. 9, the server 3 is using the group 2 andthe server 4 is using the group 3. Thus, as a result of the calculation,by transferring logical disks 410 used by the server 3 to the group 3used by the server 4, it is possible to extend the periods in which theRAID groups 430 of the group 2 and the group 3 are operating in thepower saving state.

In the step 3203, the transfer control subprogram 607 determines whetheran effect to reduce the electric power consumption is provided bycomparing the result of the calculation in the step 3202 and the presentelectric power consumption. This determination may be made by theadministrator on a query screen to be shown.

In a step 3204, the transfer control subprogram 607 transfers thelogical disks 410 used by the servers 111 between the respective RAIDgroups 430 calculated in the step 3202.

Then, in a step 3205, the transfer control subprogram 607 changessecurity setting of the logical disks 410 and the servers 111 ifnecessary. Specifically, by changing the settings of an access right ofthe logical disk 410 to be transferred (access right for a port, forexample), or changing the setting of a zoning, the security settings ofthe logical disks 410 and the servers 111 are changed.

Ninth Embodiment

A ninth embodiment of this invention is an example in which, in thecomputer system according to the first embodiment of this invention,virtual servers are operating, and the process of the electric powercontrol program 110 is also adapted to the virtual servers.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram of a configuration of the computer systemaccording to the ninth embodiment of this invention. The ninthembodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the servers111 include virtual servers 121. According to the ninth embodiment ofthis invention, multiple OSs or application programs operateindependently on the respective virtual servers 121 on the servers 111.

FIG. 34 describes the server management table 610 according to the ninthembodiment of this invention. The ninth embodiment is different from thefirst embodiment of this invention in physical server identifiers 704and virtual server identifiers 705. The physical server identifier 704is an identifier of a physical server 111. The virtual server identifier705 is an identifier of a virtual server 121 operating on the physicalserver 111 identified by the physical server identifier 704. Theidentifier of the server 111 according to the first embodiment of thisinvention corresponds to an identifier of a virtual server 121.

While the present invention has been described in detail and pictoriallyin the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited tosuch detail but covers various obvious modifications and equivalentarrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims.

1. An electric power control method of controlling electric powerconsumption of a computer system, the method being carried out on acomputer system having at least one server, at least one externalstorage system having at least one RAID group configured thereon and atleast one management server which manages the at least one server andthe at least one external storage system, where at least one virtualserver is operating on the at least one server, the electric powercontrol method comprising the steps of: managing a use relationshipamong the at least one server, the at least one virtual server, at leastone logical disk used by the at least one virtual server, and a RAIDgroup including the at least one logical disk; monitoring a change in astate of the at least one virtual server; determining a RAID groupincluding a logical disk used by the at least one virtual server as arelated RAID group; determining at least one server and at least onevirtual server which use the logical disk included in the RAID group asa related server and a related virtual server respectively; obtaining apower state of the related server and the related virtual server; andchanging a state of electric power consumption of the related RAID groupto a power saving state or a power off state in a case where powersupply of the related server and the related virtual server is turnedoff.
 2. The electric power control method according to claim 1, wherein:the external storage system can select more than three states ofelectric power consumption of the RAID group which correspond todifferent performance levels and electric power consumption levels; theat least one management server holds setting policies of states of theelectric power consumption of the RAID group which is used by the atleast one server according to the state change of the at least oneserver; and the step of changing the state of electric power consumptionincludes a step of determining one of the states of the electric powerconsumption of the RAID group based on the setting policies.
 3. Theelectric power control method according to claim 1, wherein: each of theat least one server and each of the at least one external storage systemhas an electric power consumption measuring unit for measuring theelectric power consumption of the at least one server and the at leastone external storage system respectively; the at least one managementserver holds a target electric power consumption of the computer system,a predicted electric power consumption of the at least one server ofwhich power is on and a predicted electric power consumption of a RAIDgroup of which power is on which is used by the at least one server; thestep of changing the state of electric power consumption includes a stepof obtaining a measured electric power consumption of the at least oneserver and the at least one external storage system from the electricpower consumption measuring unit, and preventing changing the state ofthe electric power consumption of the at least one server and the RAIDgroup to a power on state in a case where a sum of an increase in theelectric power consumption of the at least one server, an increase inthe electric power consumption of the RAID group, and electric powerconsumption of the computer system exceeds the target electric power. 4.A computer system for controlling electric power consumption comprisingat least one server, at least one external storage system having atleast one RAID group configured thereon and at least one managementserver which manages the at least one server and the at least oneexternal storage system, where at least one virtual server is operatingon the at least one server, wherein: the at least one management serverhas: a relationship management module for obtaining a use relationshipamong the at least one server, the at least one virtual server, at leastone logical disk used by the at least one virtual server, and a RAIDgroup including the at least one logical disk; a state monitoring modulefor monitoring a change in a state of the at least one virtual server; arelationship search module for determining a RAID group including alogical disk used by the at least one virtual server as a related RAIDgroup, and determining at least one server and at least one virtualserver which use the logical disk included in the RAID group as arelated server and a related virtual server respectively; a statedetermination module for obtaining a power state of the related serverand the related virtual server and for determining whether a state ofelectric power consumption of the related RAID group is to be changed toa power saving state or a power off state in a case where power supplyof the related server and the related virtual server is turned off. 5.The computer system according to claim 4, wherein: the external storagesystem has: an electric power consumption state control module forselecting from more than three states of electric power consumption ofthe RAID group which correspond to different performance levels andelectric power consumption levels; the at least one management serverholds setting policies of states of the electric power consumption ofthe RAID group which is used by the at least one server according to thestate change of the at least one server; and the electric powerconsumption state control module determines one of the states of theelectric power consumption of the RAID group based on the settingpolicies.
 6. The computer system according to claim 4, wherein: each ofthe at least one server and each of the at least one external storagesystem has an electric power consumption measuring module for measuringthe electric power consumption of the at least one server and the atleast one external storage system respectively; the at least onemanagement server holds a target electric power consumption of thecomputer system, a predicted electric power consumption of the at leastone server of which power is on and a predicted electric powerconsumption of a RAID group of which power is on which is used by the atleast one server; the state determination module obtains a measuredelectric power consumption of the at least one server and the at leastone external storage system from the electric power consumptionmeasuring unit, and the management server has a state change restrainingmodule for preventing changing the state of the electric powerconsumption of the at least one server and the RAID group to a power onstate in a case where a sum of an increase in the electric powerconsumption of the at least one server, an increase in the electricpower consumption of the RAID group, and electric power consumption ofthe computer system exceeds the target electric power.
 7. An apparatusfor controlling electric power consumption in a computer system havingat least one server, at least one external storage system having atleast one RAID group configured thereon and the apparatus manages the atleast one server and the at least one external storage system, where atleast one virtual server is operating on the at least one server, theapparatus comprising: a relationship management module for obtaining ause relationship among the at least one server, the at least one virtualserver, at least one logical disk used by the at least one virtualserver, and a RAID group including the at least one logical disk; astate monitoring module for monitoring a change in a state of the atleast one virtual server; a relationship search module for determining aRAID group including a logical disk used by the at least one virtualserver as a related RAID group, and determining at least one server andat least one virtual server which use the logical disk included in theRAID group as a related server and a related virtual serverrespectively; a state determination module for obtaining a power stateof the related server and the related virtual server and for determiningwhether a state of electric power consumption of the related RAID groupis to be changed to a power saving state or a power off state in a casewhere power supply of the related server and the related virtual serveris turned off.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, furthercomprising: a memory which holds setting policies of states of theelectric power consumption of the RAID group which is used by the atleast one server according to the state change of the at least oneserver; wherein the external storage system has: an electric powerconsumption state control module for selecting from more than threestates of electric power consumption of the RAID group which correspondto different performance levels and electric power consumption levels;the electric power consumption state control module determines one ofthe states of the electric power consumption of the RAID group based onthe setting policies.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 7, furthercomprising: a memory which holds a target electric power consumption ofthe computer system, a predicted electric power consumption of the atleast one server of which power is on and a predicted electric powerconsumption of a RAID group of which power is on which is used by the atleast one server; and a state change restraining module for preventingchanging the state of the electric power consumption of the at least oneserver and the RAID group to a power on state in a case where a sum ofan increase in the electric power consumption of the at least oneserver, an increase in the electric power consumption of the RAID group,and electric power consumption of the computer system exceeds the targetelectric power, wherein each of the at least one server and each of theat least one external storage system has an electric power consumptionmeasuring module for measuring the electric power consumption of the atleast one server and the at least one external storage systemrespectively, and wherein the state determination module obtains ameasured electric power consumption of the at least one server and theat least one external storage system from the electric power consumptionmeasuring unit, and
 10. A non-transitory computer readable medium withan executable program stored thereon for performing a method ofcontrolling electric power consumption of a computer system, the methodbeing carried out on a computer system having at least one server, atleast one external storage system having at least one RAID groupconfigured thereon and at least one management server which manages theat least one server and the at least one external storage system, whereat least one virtual server is operating on the at least one server, theelectric power control method including the steps of: managing a userelationship among the at least one server, the at least one virtualserver, at least one logical disk used by the at least one virtualserver, and a RAID group including the at least one logical disk;monitoring a change in a state of the at least one virtual server;determining a RAID group including a logical disk used by the at leastone virtual server as a related RAID group; determining at least oneserver and at least one virtual server which use the logical diskincluded in the RAID group as a related server and a related virtualserver respectively; obtaining a power state of the related server andthe related virtual server; and changing a state of electric powerconsumption of the related RAID group to a power saving state or a poweroff state in a case where power supply of the related server and therelated virtual server is turned off.
 11. The non-transitory computerreadable medium according to claim 10, wherein: the external storagesystem can select more than three states of electric power consumptionof the RAID group which correspond to different performance levels andelectric power consumption levels; the at least one management serverholds setting policies of states of the electric power consumption ofthe RAID group which is used by the at least one server according to thestate change of the at least one server; and the step of changing thestate of electric power consumption includes a step of determining oneof the states of the electric power consumption of the RAID group basedon the setting policies.
 12. The non-transitory computer readable mediumaccording to claim 10, wherein: each of the at least one server and eachof the at least one external storage system has an electric powerconsumption measuring unit for measuring the electric power consumptionof the at least one server and the at least one external storage systemrespectively; the at least one management server holds a target electricpower consumption of the computer system, a predicted electric powerconsumption of the at least one server of which power is on and apredicted electric power consumption of a RAID group of which power ison which is used by the at least one server; the step of changing thestate of electric power consumption includes a step of obtaining ameasured electric power consumption of the at least one server and theat least one external storage system from the electric power consumptionmeasuring unit, and preventing changing the state of the electric powerconsumption of the at least one server and the RAID group to a power onstate in a case where a sum of an increase in the electric powerconsumption of the at least one server, an increase in the electricpower consumption of the RAID group, and electric power consumption ofthe computer system exceeds the target electric power.